As part of a tour of the Tomah Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center, Jacine Johanningmeier, Hannah Gray, Katie Lamm and Amelia Solum toured the hallway that displays the Wall of Honor. Their staff member tour guide was Cindy Rogge, center. This portion of the Wall of Honor is extra special because Spring Grove resident, Peter “Junior” Wirth is honored on the wall. His plaque is in the center near Rogge’s head. Wirth was in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. In 2010, he was inducted into the Hall of Heroes "for extraordinary heroism and citizenship in service to our country." COURTESY OF JACQUI VANMINSEL

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 11:34 AM

Four local Girl Scouts recently delivered cookies to veterans at the Tomah Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center. What was planned to be “just” a cookie delivery became an experience that left a lasting impressions on the girls.

“We’re just happy to have this over. We are not mining sand for fracking (hydraulic fracturing for petroleum) on our property, but sand for construction purposes only,” said Rushford area resident Tracie Erickson.

Dancing since she could walk, singing in a polka band at age 3, playing piano in a polka band at age 8, and becoming a regular member in a polka band at age 11, Mollie Busta Lange has known and loved polka music all her life. Mollie’s father, Jim Busta (formerly of Spring Grove), has had a polka band, The Jim Busta Band, since before Mollie was born and Mollie has been an integral part of that band. She was raised around polka music and it is her livelihood today.

“I think some of the most important things for people to understand as far as Lyme disease is that so many people have it, and don't know it,” said Jean Happel, a Lyme disease sufferer. “There are no two people alike, and that's part of the problem.”

Four local Girl Scouts recently delivered cookies to veterans at the Tomah Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center. What was planned to be “just” a cookie delivery became an experience that left a lasting impressions on the girls.

Many areas of Houston and Fillmore counties are prone to flash flooding and when tons of water thunders down the valley of Riceford Creek, not much can stand in the way. However, an ongoing effort to utilize the power of those same waters to rebuild washed out stream banks seems to be working.

A 2006 Spring Grove High School graduate, Sam Wiste, was known for his outstanding talents on the gridiron. But on July 11, the former Lion made his mark in another sport, scoring a hole-in-one at Caledonia's Ma-Cal Grove Country Club.

What makes a hero a hero? That is something the children attending the summer reading program at the Spring Grove Public Library have been exploring. They have talked about the traits of a hero and how they come in all different shapes and sizes. On Monday, July 13, the children had the special opportunity to meet some heroes in person.

Just under 7,500 swimmers have visited the pool in Spring Grove so far this summer. According to coordinator Lorilyn Dehning, area patrons are coming not only from the local community but also from Winona, Caledonia, Decorah, Mabel, Preston, Houston and Rushford. Twice a week, a bus brings swimmers from Caledonia. One bus a week arrives from both Houston and Mabel.